US 11,208,969 B2 · Air inlet arrangement and method of making the same

Abstract

An inlet arrangement is disclosed herein for use with a supersonic jet engine configured to consume air at a predetermined mass flow rate when the supersonic jet engine is operating at a predetermined power setting and moving at a predetermined Mach speed. The air inlet arrangement includes, but is not limited to, a cowl having a cowl lip and a center body coaxially aligned with the cowl. A protruding portion of the center body extends upstream of the cowl lip for a length greater than a conventional spike length. The protruding portion is configured to divert air flowing over the protruding portion out of a pathway of an inlet to the supersonic jet engine such that a remaining airflow approaching and entering the inlet matches the predetermined mass flow rate.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A nozzle arrangement for use with a supersonic jet engine configured to produce a plume of exhaust gases when the supersonic jet engine is operating at a predetermined power setting and moving at a predetermined Mach speed, the nozzle arrangement comprising:

a nacelle;
a nozzle comprising an aft portion of the nacelle, the nozzle having a trailing edge;
and
a plug body partially positioned within the nozzle and coaxially aligned with the nozzle, a protruding portion of the plug body extending downstream of the trailing edge, the protruding portion having a tapered profile and a circular cross section along its entire length, and the protruding portion of the plug extending downstream of the trailing edge for a length greater than a conventional plug body length.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Air inlet arrangement and method of making the same

Life of this patent

Air inlet arrangement and method of making the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14